Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-09-06


lifted fists fell, but Laronette turned at the
same instant, escaping the blow. He gave
but one cry OF "Murdern and then there was
a short but deadly struggle. The murderer's
hat fell, a summer hat, high, gray, and bear
| ing a black ribbon band. The candle rolled
on the table, but before It went out dark
face, covered by thick, black beard appeared
like fash. There was no more noise. Dark
ness reigned in that room. Larouette, weak
as he was, tried to defend himself. The muir
derer was q colossus. Still the fear OF death
lent him force. Larouette tried to cry for
help. Then there was o fash and a heavy
detonation, and that was all
Henriette drew back, with chattering teeth.
! Great drops of sweat stood on her brow. She
looked like one suddenly gone mad. She re-
peated, breathless in an agony Of torture at
this sudden rending of all her happiness:
"Roger! Can it bel Hel Oh, horribler
And now, in the midst Of this wretchedness,
camo the thought of her child; her child,
whose existence she had forgot in that sub
lime agony. Of her child, who had been the
first to recognize her father.
Suzanne" said she with painful effort
"Mammaln said faint voice behind her.
Victoria had brought lamp, and now one
could see clearly into the bed room. Through
the lace shade the light fell directly upon the
chills face. She did not cry. She made no
gesture, but her eyes were strangely fixed.
She must have seen and understood, for her
forehead, so pure and so candid, had suddenly
become indented with deep wrinkle. She
had aged in that instant many years, and she
had tho face almost Of a woman. Then
Henriette clasped her in her Hrms in q wild
pain and lifted her, and then laid one hand
over the chiid's eyes.
"You have seen nothing" gaspod she
breathlessly. "You have seen nothing and
you have heard nothing Listen to me we'll,
and understand me. You must remember
that you have seen nothing and have heard
nothing"
mo, mammal shall have seen nothing,
and shall have heard nothingn
1t was no longer that silvery, sweet voice
OF q child; IL was the grave voice Of the
mother Suddenly aged by horrible spec
tacle, the child recognized clearly the whole
OF her future and its significance
"You will never say anythingr
Nothing, ever, mamma"
"Nevor, if you love your poor mother,
never tell what you have seen, what you have
heard, no matter what threats, prayers or
temptations are brought TO bear upon your
"Never, except on your order, mother"
She called her another" now; the child was
no longer baby to say mamma"
"Thnt is right; and mny God have pity on
your feebleness and innocence, however hard
he may strike men
She did not weep though the nervous sobs,
strnngle1 in her throat, nearly stiled her.
Still size had strength 10 close the window,
and on returning toward her bed she saw that
her maid, dumb and frightened was still
there. Henriette thought she must faint, but
gathered force enough to sayi
"You can go, Victoria. will put Suzanne
10 bed MYSELF
MADAME, did you not see, not heart Therel
Near us, very near"
"Whatl What was itp
"A pistol shot,
"You are crazy. Leave u.s."
HExcuse me, madame, but thought heard
one.n
Victoria went out trembling, and Henrietta
happened to glance in her glass. She drew
back in alright, so terrible was her own mp.
Pearance. At this instant she heard stihed
groan, and turning she found Suzanne on the
carpet In commissions. She sprang to the
child, and lifting her in her arms caressed her
with wild delirium OF love and terror.
"My child, my darling child, oh, DO calml
do not be afraid-i am here. Oh, my babyi
what shall | dor
But Suzanne, shaken by violent hysteria,
heard nothing, Henriette used all the means
in her power TO restore tho child but tho con.
WILSON'S continued for Icing time-an eter-
nifty 10 seemed TO the stricken mother At
last the commissions ceaGed and the child re
gained consciousness, and looking her mother
In the eyes repeated with her dry little lips:
@No, mother; shall have seen nothing;
shall have heard nothing"
And they wept IN each others, embrace.
Suddenly they both shivered and rose to-
gether; but Suzanne did not let go her clasp
about her mothers waist. The gate which
led from the lawn TO tho Rue do Versailles
was creaking OH its hinges Stops were heard
upon the gravel walk; key turned Ia the
lock Of tho front door.
at is hel" murmured Henriette.
Suzanne held her arms clasped still moro
lightly around her mothers whist 10 was
Roger Laroque IIenriette knew his step,
md hastily put out tho lamp, leaving only
he night light burning, and, staggering 10
ler door, locked 1t. She tTembled lest no
should como into her presence They listened |
with bated breath 10 the steps coming nearer,
md which stopped at last before their door,
md in the midst OF the death like silence they |
heard distinctly his breath, coming in heavy |
yasps as II he had run until almost breathless |
they heard his hands as he felt about trying |
he door, and they heard him knock softly,
md voice said
"Henijottc, lIenriette; are you asleepP
The mother and child stood together |
'lasped in wild embrace, their eyes riyeted